It passed in Arizona and is sparking controversy nationwide. Officers given the power to check immigration status, so could that law also make its way to Texas?
State Representative Debbie Riddle is pushing for that law once again. She introduced a bill similar to the one in Arizona last legislative session but it got swept under the rug...this time she says she believes it will pass.
Protesters hit the streets of Arizona. The controversial law has sparked concerned among the Hispanic community. That law would give local and state officers the power to question people about their immigration status.
"They're not going to be stopping people on the street like some would try to say," said Sate Rep. Debbie Riddle, who is pushing for similar action in Texas.
Rep. Riddle already tried to pass her bill last legislative session. She said her bill will give local law enforcement the tool to ask for immigration status if they have probable cause. Riddle believes the issue at hand is not race but safety and security.
"We have got the drug cartels, we have got MS13 and other gangs, it is no longer safe on the border that is common knowledge," said Rep. Riddle.
Michael Olivas, professor of law at the University of Houston, believes the Arizona law doesn't stand a chance. Professor Olivas said the Arizona law goes too far and he doesn't see it surviving.
"It points to why we need comprehensive reform at the federal level," said Professor Olivas.
State Representative Garnet Coleman believes this type of law opens the door to racial profiling.
"It gives a police officer any excuse to stop someone for probable cause if they suspect that individual is an undocumented immigrant," said Rep. Coleman.
While the protests continue in Arizona, Houstonians are weighing in on the issue.
"I think it's harassment personally. You're stopping a person because you feel they might not be legal," said Claude Lynch.
Even so, other believe something has to be done to answer the question of illegal immigration.
"It's a difficult question to answer, on the one hand it might appear racial profiling or selective law enforcement, but on the other hand there also needs to be some control over the boarders," said a man who goes by Farouk.
Representative Riddle stands by what she says is her number one priority.
"It will get the thumbs up if the people rise up and demand it," said Riddle about reintroducing her bill in the next legislative session.
A justice department review is underway to determine if the Arizona law is constitutional. The law is set to take effect in late July or early August.
State Representative Debbie Riddle is pushing for that law once again. She introduced a bill similar to the one in Arizona last legislative session but it got swept under the rug...this time she says she believes it will pass.
Protesters hit the streets of Arizona. The controversial law has sparked concerned among the Hispanic community. That law would give local and state officers the power to question people about their immigration status.
"They're not going to be stopping people on the street like some would try to say," said Sate Rep. Debbie Riddle, who is pushing for similar action in Texas.
Rep. Riddle already tried to pass her bill last legislative session. She said her bill will give local law enforcement the tool to ask for immigration status if they have probable cause. Riddle believes the issue at hand is not race but safety and security.
"We have got the drug cartels, we have got MS13 and other gangs, it is no longer safe on the border that is common knowledge," said Rep. Riddle.
Michael Olivas, professor of law at the University of Houston, believes the Arizona law doesn't stand a chance. Professor Olivas said the Arizona law goes too far and he doesn't see it surviving.
"It points to why we need comprehensive reform at the federal level," said Professor Olivas.
State Representative Garnet Coleman believes this type of law opens the door to racial profiling.
"It gives a police officer any excuse to stop someone for probable cause if they suspect that individual is an undocumented immigrant," said Rep. Coleman.
While the protests continue in Arizona, Houstonians are weighing in on the issue.
"I think it's harassment personally. You're stopping a person because you feel they might not be legal," said Claude Lynch.
Even so, other believe something has to be done to answer the question of illegal immigration.
"It's a difficult question to answer, on the one hand it might appear racial profiling or selective law enforcement, but on the other hand there also needs to be some control over the boarders," said a man who goes by Farouk.
Representative Riddle stands by what she says is her number one priority.
"It will get the thumbs up if the people rise up and demand it," said Riddle about reintroducing her bill in the next legislative session.
A justice department review is underway to determine if the Arizona law is constitutional. The law is set to take effect in late July or early August.
